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Women bringing offerings to the great shrine in Izumo, Izumo, taisha hotohoto no zue. Hotohoto was a festival on the 14th day of the first month and children went around receiving rice cakes or small amounts of money. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 12/1853 ). Izumo is the oldest shrine in Japan in the far south-east of Honshu. The colourful foreground figures contrast with the silhouettes of others and cryptomeria trees receding into the mist.

Fine early impression with nice wiped bokashi across the foreground ( missing on later editions ). The first edition has gradation on the gowns of two of the figures and the trees are hardly visible. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 42. ) Fine colour. Imperceptible centre fold. Very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Senju no Ohashi, “The Senju Great Bridge” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). The bridge which was built in 1594 connected Edo with Senju ( seen to the right ) over the Sumida ( Arakawa ) River. Ex collection P & L Warnock (seal au verso ).

Very fine impression of the first edition. Minor edge soil otherwise fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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A giant wave thrown up by the sea at Satta. Suruga Satta kaijo, “Waves Off the Satta Pass in Suruga Province” from the set Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” The finest design from the set. The spume of a wave was thought to transmogrify into chidori ( a species of plover ) which can be seen here flying above the sea. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858.

Very good impression and colour. One slight spot at top, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Mama no Momiji Tekona no Yashiro Tsugihashi, ” The Red Maples of Mama at Tekona Shrine” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being Snake 1, 1857 ). Shows russet-coloured leaves between the boughs of an old maple. In the distance ponds and rice fields stretching to the distant Tsukuba hills. One of the finest designs from the set. Ex Illing collection. This impression illustrated in Richard Illing, Japanese Prints, Phaidon, 1976, no. 93.

Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Left margin shaved towards top but retaining black border, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Motoyama from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Shows two loggers relaxing on a tree that they have felled beneath another trunk that leans awkwardly across the path supported by a trestle making for a dramatic composition. These mountain areas supplied the timber for Edo.

Fine, early impression. Fine colour and very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Kashiwabara from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). An evening scene showing porters outside the famous Kameya or Turtle shop. Besides the medicines and herbs, the shop also sold refreshments.

Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Eitaibashi no zue, “Eitai Bridge” from an Edo meisho set published by Senichi, c 1840-42. An extremely rare set, obviously not popular as examples are only known in fine impression. ( Not listed in Edward Strange’s monograph on Hiroshige. ) Illustrated in colour, Tamba, The Art of Hiroshige, no. 36. Aiban.

Very fine impression. Fine colour. Minor backed wormage top right corner. Very full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Evening Rain at Karasaki, Karasaki no yau, the finest design from the set: Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views in Omi Province.” The series of eight prints was published by Hoeido and Eikyudo, c. 1834-5. When first published it was advertised as a “work in black and white, lightly coloured, “ and Hiroshige was never to surpass the ethereal quality that these figureless landscapes possess. The theme “Eight Views” was borrowed from Chinese poetry and each print conveys pictorially the poem written in the square label at the top right. Beside it, in a red label, is the series title. The designs for the set are known in various states and there are variations in colouring and gradation. This is particularly relevant to this design and there is dispute as to which is the earliest state. In fact the first printing appears to be the Yan Buhl impression illustrated in Hiroshige, Hotei publishing, 2008, no. 48, p. 54: the kiwame seal on this example is higher than on all other printings ( presuming no remargining, which does not appear to be the case ); the break on the top of the right rigging of the tallest boat, far right, is not evident, and the gradation on the pine is across the top and down towards the bottom right. Many of these great designs seemed to inspire the publishers and/or printers to experiment with different colour schemes and gradation. ( As with the Kuniyoshi Nichiren in snow on this website. ) Later states had gradation completely across top of pine; down left side only; or with gradation from the bottom up, and a green version is also known. The later editions also had the area around the Hoeido seal cleared so that the rain did not intrude. The old pine no longer exists and was replaced with another. One of the finest 19th century landscapes. An almost abstract composition which transcends the usual views of the countryside that the curious Edo public bought and the views of the capital purchased as souvenirs, to reach a completely different aesthetic.

Fine, early impression with the gradation at top of pine and down towards right. Very good colour. Minor restoration, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Gyotoku kihan, “Returning Sails at Gyotoku “ from the series Edo kinko hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views of the Environs of Edo. “ A very fine early set published by Kikakudo, c. 1837 – 8. The first private edition of this set was commissioned by the contemporary poet Taihaido and these prints have Taihaido kaihan, “Prints inaugurated by Taihaido “ in the left margin and three or four poems. They were probably for the poetry club and are excessively rare. The commercial edition is also rare and they are invariably fine impressions with one or two poems.

Very fine impression. Fine colour. Left margin remargined but retaining black border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Heavy snow and visitors to the Shiba Jingu Palace from an oban set Edo Meisho of approx. 45 prints published by Yamada-ya, 1853 – 1858, half being published in 1853. This design published 1858. A rare snow scene.

Fine impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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A chutanzaku print showing Asakusa, Kinryuzan [ Temple ] in snow from a rare set of Famous Views of the Eastern Capital. For others – probably from the same set – see Kobijutsu, Special Edition, Hiroshige, number 3, 1983, nos. 193, 195, 197, 198 and 199. No publisher’s seal, c.1840-41. See Hiroshige’s 1856 oban version of the same subject from the 100 Views of Edo on this website.

Very good impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Evening Bell at Miidera Temple, Mii no bansho, from the set: Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views in Omi Province.” The series of eight prints was published by Hoeido and Eikyudo, c.1834-5. When first published it was advertised as a “work in black and white, lightly coloured,” and Hiroshige was never to surpass the ethereal quality that these figureless landscapes possess. The theme “Eight Views” was borrowed from Chinese poetry and each print conveys pictorially the poem written in the square label at the top right. Beside it, in a red label, is the series title. The designs for the set are known in various states and there are variations in colouring and gradation.

Very good impression. Fine colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise fine condition. A lovely example on thick hosho of this design. Beautiful colouring without the brown gradation at base which detracts from some impressions. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold